I teach small group yoga classes, workshops and individual yoga lessons in the Exeter Area. I am a qualified yoga teacher having trained specifically as Viniyoga teacher.

I am a qualified yoga teacher, having trained specifically within the approach known as Viniyoga, and also more generally. See more about Qualifications

What is Yoga?Yoga is the intelligent (viniyoga) combination and application of posture (asana), breath (pranayama), and meditative techniques (dharana and dhyana). Yoga can improve sleep, digestion, strength and flexibility. A regular yoga practice can also allow us to experience the stillness that is present within each of us, that which can be described as a 'sense of uncomplicated wholeness' - Peter Hersnack.

Through the practice of Yoga it is possible to learn how to relieve suffering and improve healing for a wide range of common ailments and disorders. More about the benefits of Yoga

My Philosophy

What does athayoga mean? A single word 'atha' is often defined as meaning 'now'. However, it is too simple an explanation for a word that also conveys a sense of the auspicous, of joy, a sense of completion and of coming home.

What is Viniyoga?This approach to Yoga is inspired by the teachings of TKV Desikachar, and is sometimes called 'Viniyoga.'Viniyoga is the special application of a body of techniques, tailored to suit the individual. There are not many Viniyoga styled yoga classes in Exeter, or Viniyoga yoga therapists in Exeter, but for contacts to other teachers in the SW and the UK please see my links page.

What does 'athayoga' mean?The sanskrit word 'atha' pronounced as 'utter' with a soft 'r', is the first word of the Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. A single word - it is often defined as meaning 'now.' However, this is too simple an explanation for a word that also conveys a sense of the auspicious, of joy, a sense of completion and of coming home.

The word 'atha' powerfully informs my understanding, personal practice and teaching of Yoga. I encourage my students to explore their physical boundaries but the main emphasis of my teaching is the ability to be in the present moment. For the greater part of our lives we allow the mind to 'time travel,' constantly moving backward into memory and forward into the future. In class we explore how it feels, and what it means, to be a little more present in our daily lives.

Viniyoga is characterised by it's emphasis on both individual teaching, and on it's smallgroup classsizes, and so numbers are limited to a maximum of 12 enrolled students.

Classes/1-2-1/Work Shops

The athayoga timetable for small group classes and workshops in Exeter, and details about individual (121) lessons or yoga therapy.

Individual Yoga Lessons (1-2-1) in Exeter

Sunday Morning Yoga Workshops in Exeter

The Benefits of Yoga

Through the practice of yoga it is possible to learn how to relieve suffering and improve healing for a wide range of common ailments and disorders. Yoga can help you learn how to cope with excessive stress and anxiety, improve breath and sleep, reduce back and joint pain...

Why Practice Yoga?

Through the practice of yoga it is possible to learn how to relieve suffering and improve healing for a wide range of common ailments and disorders. Yoga can help you to learn how to:

Cope with excessive stress and anxiety

How to relax, and the value of being more present

Improve breathing

Improve sleep

Reduce back and joint pain by increasing strength and the tone of supporting muscles, while gently mobilizing the joint

Use your core muscles

Help with menstrual problems and the menopause

Care for a range of chronic disorders including asthma, arthritis, hypertension, circulatory and digestive problems

Blog/Articles

This is the blog page for athayoga, where you can find articles of interest like Amy Cuddy's TED talk about how your posture not only affects your endocrine system but how you are in turn perceived by others. Evidence based Yoga?

How fit do I need to be?

You do not need to be either very fit or agile to enjoy Viniyoga.

My 90 minute classes are usually suitable for anyone in reasonably good health, are you:Able to walk, and to climb up and down stairs unaided?Able to get up and down from the floor unaided?Able to breathe without discomfort or distress.

If your answer to all of these questions is yes then you are probably fit enough to enjoy a general 90 minute class.

If you are not able to answer yes to all of these questions then you may prefer to start in the 60 minute class on a Monday evening, or with an individual lesson.

If you are at all unsure about whether yoga is suitable for you then please do contact me first. An email is the best way to make initial contact with me.

Individual Lessons (1-2-1)

The distinctive feature of this tradition is it's emphasis on individual teaching. This means that the student and I work together to design a practice that meets their particular needs given their age, health, lifestyle and belief system.

Individual Yoga Teaching in Exeter & Yoga Therapy in ExeterOne of the distinctive feature of this tradition is the emphasis on individual teaching. This means that the student and I work together to design a practice that meets their particular needs, given their age, health, lifestyle and belief system.

Individual lessons need not be for a therapeutic reason, it maybe that you wish to explore, to deepen, your relationship with yoga - with yourself

Through the practice of yoga it is possible to learn how to relieve suffering and improve healing for a wide range of common ailments and disorders. Yoga can help you to learn how to:

Cope with excessive stress and anxiety

Become a little more present in daily life

Come to a point of balance with yourself

Improve breathing

Improve sleep

Reduce back and joint pain by increasing strength and the tone of supporting muscles, while gently mobilizing the joint

Use your core muscles

Help with menstrual problems and the menopause

Care for a range of chronic disorders including asthma, arthritis, hypertension, circulatory and digestive problems